Hello all, I was changing front a-arm bushings today. Noticed just a little play in the left side ball joint. How hard are they to change? does the strut have to come off and bring to the dealer? or if you could get the tool could you do it with the strut on the bike?
Thanks all, Al

 

where there is a will there is a way,what kind of play,what machine.i modify common tools all the time to make specialize tools.

 

Just a little "side to side" no up & down, Thanks

 

If you have a propane torch you heat the casting around the ball joint and you can pull it with vice grips, heat it up to put the new one in , I use a deep socket thats the same size as the ball joint and tap it in when its hot enough, if you do it on the machine dont get the c-v boots hot or you'll ruin them.

 

Thanks, I was looking at it closer. Looks like with a 1 1/16" impact socket I should be able to "tap" it in.

 

Its a super easy job when you have the puller/installer tool

 

Thanks, can it be done with the strut on? Where can you find the tool?

 

If you like laying on you back can maybe do it, little hard to seat new balljoint underneath,But I dont fight em anymore,I just pull strut ,use puller and hold strut between my knees and seat balljoint back in with the installer tool! Can order tools through Polaris,SPX makes the tools,dont know if can order direct,but other members may have. Good luck

 

Stand the machine on its rear bumper(so the headlights are pointed straight up, a lift helps to do this without straining yourself) remove the old ones and reinstall the new ones. The only worry is if the outer cv joint comes apart internally(4wd models).

 

Thanks, seems the install tool is the way to go. Does the tool have the "puller" included?